Palo was born in the Ventura County Animal Regulation shelter after his family and relatives of 26 dogs were confiscated due to inhumane conditions at a breeding kennel. Jackie adopted him at age 10 weeks and has kept Palo busy competing in many sports including lure coursing, sprint racing and weight pull, and he will soon start tracking. "He has grown into a large and very gentle dog with a solid temperament, who treats the world as his best friend," she said. He finished the CAA on Dec. 30 at a test hosted by the Basenji Club of Northern California.